Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in City of London
Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC

Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in City of London

City of London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the editorial vision and strategy for a renowned online culture magazine.
  • Company: Established online culture magazine with a strong reputation and engaged audience.
  • Benefits: Flexible working hours, senior influence, and a chance to shape editorial direction.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on a respected publication during its growth phase.
  • Qualifications: Senior editorial leadership experience and strong strategic thinking skills.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a focus on quality and integrity.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We’re seeking a director-level editorial leader to define, elevate, and embed editorial vision during a period of growth and organisational reset. This is not a hands-on editor role. It’s a senior, outcome-led engagement focused on editorial direction, standards, positioning, and long-term strength, with day-to-day delivery handled by the wider team.

The organisation is a well-established online culture and ideas magazine, known for intelligent, thoughtful editorial across arts, culture, society, and contemporary life. It has a loyal, engaged audience and a strong editorial reputation, with ambitions to sharpen its positioning and evolve its editorial model as it enters its next phase. Editorial credibility, voice, and integrity sit at the heart of the brand. This role exists to ensure that as the organisation grows, its editorial output remains coherent, confident, and strategically aligned, rather than diluted or reactive.

What you’ll be responsible for:

  • Defining and stewarding the editorial vision, tone, standards, and long-term direction of the publication
  • Leading a strategic reset of editorial structure, workflows, and accountability
  • Providing senior oversight, review, and sign-off to ensure quality, consistency, and editorial rigour
  • Acting as trusted editorial counsel to the Directors and senior leadership
  • Protecting and strengthening editorial voice, reputation, and audience positioning
  • Contributing senior editorial thinking to commercial and partnership conversations at concept stage

How this role operates:

  • Outcome-led, not hours-led
  • Focused on strategy, briefing, delegation, guidance, and review
  • Editorial execution is delivered by staff writers, editors, and freelancers
  • Limited hands-on delivery only where required to unblock, model best practice, or address critical gaps

Ideal background:

  • Senior editorial leadership experience within culture, media, or publishing
  • Proven ability to define and embed editorial strategy at brand or publication level
  • Strong editorial judgement across quality, tone, reputation, and audience impact
  • Comfortable operating at director level and influencing senior stakeholders

Engagement details:

  • Contract for services
  • Flexible time commitment (estimated up to four days per week)
  • Senior, high-trust role with real influence over editorial direction

If you’re an experienced editorial leader who enjoys shaping vision, raising standards, and helping a respected cultural publication move confidently into its next chapter, I’d love to speak!

Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in City of London employer: Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd

As a leading online culture magazine based in London, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that champions creativity and intellectual engagement. Our commitment to editorial excellence is matched by our dedication to employee growth, offering opportunities for professional development and strategic influence within a supportive team. Join us in shaping the future of cultural discourse while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a respected publication.
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Contact Detail:

Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in City of London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage with people on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its editorial vision. Understand their tone and audience, and think about how you can contribute to their growth. This will show them you're genuinely interested and ready to lead.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the publication and how you plan to elevate its editorial standards. Confidence is key, so rehearse your ideas until they flow naturally.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in City of London

Editorial Leadership
Strategic Vision
Editorial Standards
Quality Assurance
Stakeholder Engagement
Editorial Judgement
Content Strategy
Audience Development
Influencing Skills
Project Management
Communication Skills
Collaboration
Adaptability
Problem-Solving

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Strategic Side: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in defining and embedding editorial strategies. We want to see how you've shaped the vision and direction of previous publications, so don’t hold back on those examples!

Keep It Coherent and Confident: Your application should reflect the coherent and confident editorial voice we value. Use clear language and a professional tone that aligns with our brand. Remember, this is about showcasing your editorial judgement and understanding of audience impact.

Tailor Your Approach: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your cover letter and CV to reflect the specific requirements of the Editorial Director role. We’re looking for someone who understands our ambitions and can articulate how they’ll help us achieve them.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Let’s get your journey started!

How to prepare for a job interview at Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd

✨Know the Publication Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into the magazine's past articles, editorial tone, and audience engagement. Understanding their unique voice and recent developments will help you articulate how you can elevate their editorial vision.

✨Prepare Your Strategic Vision

Think about how you would approach the strategic reset of their editorial structure. Be ready to discuss specific ideas on workflows, accountability, and how to maintain quality while scaling. This shows you’re not just a fit for the role but also a forward-thinker.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Since this role is about guiding a team rather than hands-on editing, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led editorial teams in the past. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and foster collaboration.

✨Engage with Their Audience

Demonstrate your understanding of their audience by discussing how you would protect and strengthen the publication's voice and reputation. Bring insights on audience positioning and how you can contribute to commercial conversations that align with their editorial goals.

Editorial Director - Culture Online Magazine- initial 6 month FTC in City of London
Urban Digital Recruitment Ltd
Location: City of London

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